Mass Effect 4 to Use Frostbite Engine

Last week we got more or less official word that BioWare was already hard at work on a new installment in their Mass Effect RPG series. Today, the developer has announced via their blog that the new game will run on a version of DICE’s Frostbite engine, which serves as the basis of EA’s Battlefield franchise.

Here’s what Yanick Roy, studio director of BioWare Montreal, had to say about the new game:

“There is really not much I can tell you about the game right now, except that it will be built with the amazing technology of Frostbite as its foundation, enhanced by many of the systems that the Dragon Age III team has already spent a lot of time building.

The other thing I can tell you is that, while it will be very respectful of the heritage built over the course of the first three games, with the original trilogy now concluded and the switch over to a new engine, we are exploring new directions, both on the gameplay and story fronts. You can still expect the pillars the franchise is known for to be fully intact though, including diverse alien races, a huge galaxy to explore, and of course rich, cinematic storytelling.”

Specifics? Nope! But news enough to warrant a post? You bet! What do you think? Any feelings on this little bit of news? We’ve got a new story direction, and a seemingly new take on the Frostbite engine. Place your bets now: when will Mass Effect 4 hit stores? Spring 2014?

My bet? ME4 will be a new arch, which will follow in DA: Origin’s path. We might be allowed to choose our own species, have a different start for each, and follow the story of some new threat to the galaxy. Also, a few of our choices (Krogan/geth/quarian fates, etc) may carry over. Considering the possibilities, I’m pointing to at least 2-3 years from now. Getting a new engine requires some tinkering, not to mention the pain of working on possible new consoles. Very kule.

This is actually very likely. They mentioned doing an FPS ME for a while. And they seem eager to try new things with this new engine. Though, I hope they don’t remove cover shooting. AN FPS cover shooter… that would be something.